Breastfeeding - A Challenging Yet Rewarding Experience

As a first-time mum, I wanted to do it right. I did a lot of reading, which inevitably led to information overload, self-doubt, and confusion. If this sounds like you, don't give up.

The First Time

Breastfeeding is something that mothers should consider for at least the first six months for optimal health and development of the baby. However, any mummy who cannot do it due to reasons or circumstances beyond her control should not feel any guilt. As per the textbook, I put my baby to my breast right after he was born. Luckily, my baby took to the nipple quickly, but there wasn’t any milk. Nurses consoled me that there was colostrum and I should be patient and wait a day or two for the milk flow to come. My baby was born small at 2.5kg, which was below the 90th percentile of weight for all babies.

Finally The Milk Came...

For the next four days, I persisted in breastfeeding, but there was still nothing. I grew increasingly anxious as my baby’s weight dropped from 2.5kg to 2.1kg. I considered starting formula milk as I couldn’t bear to see him getting any smaller. I called a lactation consultant who was due to visit me at home at the end of the fourth day. However, just before she was due to arrive, the milk finally came. What a relief it was!

Experimenting With Feeding

With my baby being small, I wanted to compensate by feeding him more. I stuck to what was taught in most books: feeding my baby at 2.5 to 3-hour intervals, 24 hours non-stop. With each feed, my baby would nurse for 20-30 minutes each time. However, he didn’t keep the milk in. He would regurgitate a lot during burping. It was overwhelming as I had no way of knowing for certain how much he was drinking and whether it was enough for him.

A Task That Was Laborious But Rewarding

In addition, I had totally underestimated how laborious the task was. It was definitely more exhausting than any full-time job. Fortunately, the breastfeeding process did get easier, more routine, and more predictable with time. It was also emotionally soothing while I connected with my baby. When my baby turned 5 and a half months old, he started semi-solid food feeding with ease. I continued to breastfeed my boy for a year before weaning him off.

Bonding With Baby & Learning A New Skill

Breastfeeding is indeed challenging especially during the first month. Both my baby and I had to come to grips with life, with each other, and learn a new skill too. I was adjusting to life as a new mum, even with my second baby and third. Each of my babies’ feeding patterns was a little different. How much and how often my baby feeds depended on my baby’s needs. I slowly learned that as long as both baby and mum are healthy and feeling happy, the feeding schedule is working fine. The important point is to remain relaxed, calm, and to nurse gently. Nursing in various positions such as side-lying, or investing in a nursing pillow or nursing chair can also be useful.

However challenging breastfeeding was, the experience was equally rewarding. I believe that breastfeeding has, in part, helped all my three boys become both emotionally secure and physically strong young men. It was also a precious time in my life to build that emotional bond with my baby, and weaning him was an equally emotional and bittersweet process. In the years to come, I will always remember my breastfeeding journey with much joy. And I hope you do too.

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